Nanostructurization of Fe-Ni Alloy

Data about an effect of cyclic γ-α-γ martensitic transformations on the structure state of reverted austenite Fe-31.7 wt.% Ni-0.06 wt.% C alloy are presented. The effect of multiple direct γ-α and reverse α-γ martensitic transformations on fragmentation of austenitic grains has been investigated by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. An ultrafine structure has been formed by nanofragmentation inside the initial austenite grains due to the successive misorientation of their crystal lattice. Austenite was nanofragmented as a result of multiple γ-α-γ martensitic transformations. Slow heating of the nanofragmented alloy at a rate below 2 °C/s results in nanograin refinement of the structure by multiplication of the reverted γ-phase orientations. The conditions of structure refinement up to ultrafine and nanocrystalline levels as a result of both shear and diffusion mechanisms of reverse α-γ transformation are determined.